Police news, Nov. 17, 2021.

November 17, 2021

Police news, Nov. 17, 2021. The following is recent police activity in Oceana County: Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021: 6:41 a.m., (Oceana County Sheriff’s Office), larceny of a tree stand valued at $160, Gale Road near 192nd Avenue, Newfield Township. Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021: 4:59 a.m., (OCSO), a 21-year-old Hesperia man was arrested for a felony of assault by strangulation and…

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Pentwater Fire Chief Paul Smith passes away.

November 17, 2021

Pentwater Fire Chief Paul Smith passes away. PENTWATER — Pentwater Fire Chief Paul Smith passed away Tuesday, Nov. 16, at the age of 60.  Chief Smith had served on the fire department for nearly 20 years.  “Pentwater Fire Department regretfully announces the passing of Fire Chief Paul Smith late Tuesday night,” states a press release issued by the fire department.…

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Obituary: Chief Paul Smith, 60, of Pentwater.

November 17, 2021

Obituary: Chief Paul Smith, 60, of Pentwater. Chief Paul Smith, 60, of Pentwater, passed away Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at his home. He was born January 2, 1961, in Flint, the son of Charles and Edrid (Peterson) Smith. He began firefighting on Pentwater Fire Department in the fall of 2002 and worked his way up the ranks over the years.…

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78th District Court arraignments.

November 16, 2021

78th District Court arraignments. HART — The following were arraigned recently in 78th District Court: Felonies – Lisa Marie Gillespie, 42, of 409 Church St., Hart, was arrested by the Hart Police Department (HPD) for a felony of assaulting/resisting/obstructing police and a misdemeanor of domestic violence. Probable cause hearing: Nov. 22 at 3 p.m. Bail: $7,500/cash/surety/10 percent. – Ki Ann…

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Hart Lighted Christmas Parade Nov. 26.

November 16, 2021

Hart Lighted Christmas Parade Nov. 26. HART — The holiday season kicks off Friday, Nov. 26, with the annual Lighted Christmas Parade. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. at Hart High School; travels down Johnson Street; north onto State Street; west onto West Main Street; south onto Water Street; west onto Johnson Street; and concludes back at the high school. …

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Defendant tells judge he’s been doing meth since he was 10.

November 15, 2021

Defendant tells judge he’s been doing meth since he was 10. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. HART — A 23-year-old Muskegon man who pleaded guilty to second-offense methamphetamine possession in 27th Circuit Court Monday, Nov. 15, told Judge Robert D. Springstead that he has been using methamphetamine since he was 10 years old. “I’ve been struggling with it since I was…

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Montague man pleads guilty to stealing trailer.

November 15, 2021

Montague man pleads guilty to stealing trailer. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. HART — A 24-year-old Montague man pleaded guilty to larceny $1,000-$20,000 in 27th Circuit Court Monday, Nov. 15. Drew Edward Beatty, of 8808 Cook St., faces a jail term not to exceed one year in exchange for his plea. Sentencing guidelines in the case are seven to 23 months,…

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Hesperia man faces 10-15 years in prison for CSC.

November 15, 2021

Hesperia man faces 10-15 years in prison for CSC. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. HART — A 51-year-old Hesperia man faces spending the next 10-15 years in prison after pleading “no contest” to third-degree criminal sexual conduct in 27th Circuit Court Monday, Nov. 15. Jose Castillo, of 5551 S. 200th Ave., testified before Judge Robert D. Springstead that he repeatedly forced…

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Defendant testifies that drug debt motivated crime.

November 15, 2021

Defendant testifies that drug debt motivated crime. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. HART — A 37-year-old Shelby man who pleaded guilty in 27th Circuit Court Monday, Nov. 15, to second-degree home invasion testified before Judge Robert D. Springstead that he was motivated to steal in order to pay a debt for his methamphetamine habit. Phillip Arthur Boyette, whose address is listed…

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News alert: Crash on US 31.

November 12, 2021

News alert: Crash on US 31. GRANT TOWNSHIP — Emergency personnel were dispatched to northbound US 31 near Oceana Drive for a two-vehicle crash Friday, Nov. 12, shortly after 6 p.m. Minor injuries were reported. A second crash on southbound US 31 in the same area was reported around the same time. No injuries were reported.

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Hesperia district extends Thanksgiving break due to increased illness, stress levels.

November 12, 2021

Hesperia district extends Thanksgiving break due to increased illness, stress levels. HESPERIA — Hesperia Community Schools Superintendent Bryan Mey announced Friday, Nov. 11, that the district’s Thanksgiving break will be extended because of “much higher levels of anxiety and stress due to COVID-19 as well as rising levels of illnesses other than COVID-19.” The upcoming holiday break will begin Wednesday,…

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HPD news, posted Nov. 12, 2021.

November 12, 2021

HPD news, posted Nov. 12, 2021. ​The following is recent activity of the Hart Police Department: Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021: 8:20 a.m., a 42-year-old Hart woman was arrested for domestic assault, 400 block of Church Street, City of Hart. She was lodged in the Oceana County Jail. 8:30 a.m., a 26-year-old Hart man was arrested on an outstanding warrant issued in…

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Couple arrested for heroin possession.

November 12, 2021

Couple arrested for heroin possession. GRANT TOWNSHIP — A 32-year-old homeless man and a 37-year-old Rothbury woman were arrested by Oceana County sheriff’s deputies on South 108th Avenue Tuesday, Nov. 9, shortly before 2 a.m. on charges of heroin possession and obstructing justice, according to Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. The woman also faces a charge of driving while license…

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Suspected drunk driver breaks leg in crash.

November 12, 2021

Suspected drunk driver breaks leg in crash. ELBRIDGE TOWNSHIP — A 33-year-old Hart man was transported to Mercy Health Partners in Muskegon by Life EMS for a broken femur following a single-vehicle crash on 112th Avenue near Tyler Road Wednesday, Nov. 10, shortly before 4 p.m., said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. “Alcohol and speed were factors in the crash,”…

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Rifle season begins Monday.

November 12, 2021

Rifle season begins Monday. Firearm deer hunting season kicks off Monday, Nov. 15, and continues through Nov. 30. Hunters are reminded to use caution. Cold weather is expected, and hunters should make sure to dress appropriately and wear hunter’s orange. With the high-powered rifles hunters use, it is extremely important to ensure there is a backstop behind their shots, advised Oceana County…

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Pirate News: Five-time state champs.

November 12, 2021

Pirate News: Five-time state champs. Pirate News is a presentation of Hart Public Schools in partnership with Oceana County Press.   By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. HART — The Hart High School Girls Cross Country Team won its fifth consecutive Division 3 state title last weekend, and the Pirate boys squad finished as state runner up for the second year in row…

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Obituary: Lisa Johnson, 93, of Mears. 

November 12, 2021

Obituary: Lisa Johnson, 93, of Mears.  Lisa R. Johnson, 93, of Mears, passed away early Wednesday morning, November 10, 2021. Lisa was born as Ruth Anna Lisa Öjst to Erik Öjst and Göta (Domeiji) in Alnö, Sweden, on March 23, 1928. On August 7, 1954, she married Edwin M. Johnson in Alnö, Sweden Lisa was an exceptional lady. She married…

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Obituary: Shirley Novotny, 96, of Pentwater.

November 12, 2021

Obituary: Shirley Novotny, 96, of Pentwater. Shirley Mary Novotny, 96, of Pentwater, passed away Thursday, November 11, 2021, at her home. She was born July 25, 1925, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of the late Matthew and Lillian (Hagedorn) Heinz. Shirley enjoyed golfing with friends, enjoying meals at the Oceana County Commission on Aging, and was a faithful member at…

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Obituary: Robert Dodson, 54, of Hesperia.

November 12, 2021

Obituary: Robert Dodson, 54, of Hesperia. Robert “Bob” Joseph Dodson, 54, of Hesperia, passed away Wednesday, November 10, 2021. He was born June 4, 1967, the son of Robert L. Dodson and Betty (Gardner) Granger. Bob was born and raised in the Detroit area, graduated from Southgate Anderson High School, and later moved to the Hesperia area. He enjoyed calligraphy,…

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Hart Community Performing Arts Series presents pianist Dominic Cheli Nov. 19.

November 11, 2021

Hart Community Performing Arts Series presents pianist Dominic Cheli Nov. 19. HART — The Hart Community Performing Arts Series will present pianist Dominic Cheli Friday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m. in the Hart Public Schools auditorium.  The auditorium is located in the Hart Middle School at 308 W. Johnson St. Tickets for $15 will be available at the door. Dominic…

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Serving those who served.

November 11, 2021

Serving those who served. Walkerville hosts Veterans Day brunch in newly-renovated cafeteria. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. WALKERVILLE — Walkerville Public Schools served brunch to local veterans on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, in the district’s newly renovated cafeteria. Due to COVID precautions, the K-12 school offered a scaled-back version of its salute to veterans this year. Veterans who were not able…

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